Assistant Attorney General - UDOT (In-House)

The Utah Attorney General's Office, Highways & Utilities Division, is seeking an attorney to represent the Department of Transportation (UDOT) in legal matters handled by the Division. This position is co-located with UDOT leadership at agency headquarters in Taylorsville, Utah.

Applicants should have at least five (5) years of experience and be an active member of the Utah State Bar in good standing. Preference to candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas: drafting contracts for transactions involving real property or construction; regulations, grant obligations and transactions involving transit, railroads, or utilities. Work in

The Highways & Utilities Division is a great place to work! Work-life balance is a priority, and well-qualified employees can be approved for hybrid teleworking arrangements. Employees earn comp time when client needs exceed regular work hours. The Attorney General’s Office offers a collegial, ethical environment with skilled coworkers and tremendous client support. As counsel in this position, you will help UDOT staff directly, work with diverse issues, and your work is appreciated. The Office also offers opportunities to learn, to teach, and to collaborate, and occasional travel is possible.

The Utah Attorney General’s Office offers a competitive salary and full benefit package. The current base salary plan is broken down below in the Supplemental Information section. For benefit information please visit: https://dhrm.utah.gov/why-utah/benefits/.

As part of this application process, you must upload your resume, cover letter and a writing sample into your application profile. Writing samples should demonstrate proficiency in contract work.

Responsibilities

• Provides consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate advice, and/or facilitates decisions and problem solving.
• Drafts or reviews contracts that may involve real property, construction, or utility issues and that involve commercial parties and other government entities.
• Writes or drafts correspondence, reports, documents, administrative rules, and/or other written materials.
• Receives, researches and responds to incoming questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedures, and/or facilitates a resolution.
• Prepares administrative cases by conducting legal research and gathering evidence in areas that typically involves permits.
• May assist with determining needs in discovery, and/or complete discovery and address other needs to respond to discovery requests.
• May assist with representing the state or the employing agency in lawsuits, grievances, and complaints.
• Interacts with regulatory agencies to resolve inquiries.
• Represents clients at formal or informal administrative hearings, or administers administrative hearing processes.
• Occasionally may be required to travel to various locations and stay overnight.

Qualifications

• agency and/or organizational program(s)
• communicate information and ideas clearly, and concisely, in writing; read and understand information presented in writing
• read interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures
• speak clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to, and understand, information and ideas as presented verbally
• legal processes and procedures
• applicable laws, rules, regulations and/or policies and procedures
• civil and criminal justice laws
• understand and apply case and statutory law
• evaluation information against a set of standards
• use logic to analyze or identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts associated with information or data to draw conclusions
• laws, legal codes, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, the democratic political process, and legislative history
• perform legal research using case law and appropriate techniques
• laws governing access to public and private records (Government Records Access and Management Act)
• make a decision or solve a problem by using logic to identify key facts, explore alternatives, and propose quality solutions
• deal with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism
• provide consultation and/or expert advice or testimony
• knowledge of Rules of Evidence
• interpret and apply legal decisions and identify current and emerging trends in interpretation
• knowledge of principles, theories and practices of judicial or administrative law
• knowledge of attorney obligations when acting in-house for government client

Supplemental Information

• A Juris Doctorate is required.
• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking, standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.
• A conditional offer of employment will be made pending a satisfactory completion of a background investigation.
• Must be able to travel as required.
• Attorneys are hired at a salary consistent with their experience-level-peers in non-supervisory positions. For the purpose of starting salary calculation, experience level is based on initial Bar admittance year, less any years not practicing law. Annual salary ranges for each grade level are outlined below:
  Grade Level

  Bar Year

  Approximate Salary

  
  

  I

  2023-2025

  $121,500

  
  

  II

  2020-2022

  $127,700

  
  

  III

  2016-2019

  $134,300

  
  

  IV

  2015-Prior

  $140,900 - $180,000
  (Depending on Experience)